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The Latest In Tech News InformationSat, 15 Dec 2018 06:52:52 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=5.0.1125253101Microsoft Project Natick: Storing Your Data Under The Seahttp://calixtechnews.com/2016/02/microsoft-project-natick-storing-your-data-under-the-sea/
http://calixtechnews.com/2016/02/microsoft-project-natick-storing-your-data-under-the-sea/#respondMon, 08 Feb 2016 22:15:00 +0000http://calixtechnews.com/?p=833When thoughts turn to data center location, one might guess that their servers are located in major metropolitan areas. While that is currently true, there is a shifting idea about how to better utilize the energy consumption of these facilities. Currently ISP’s spend billions annually just to keep their machines up and running. The problem experienced by these providers is one that involves the rules of thermodynamics. You see, these machines produce a lot of excess heat, meaning that the storage facility must be well insulated and air conditioned. When the machines get too hot, the server crashes, costing the ISP time and money. Microsoft believes that they have found a solution to this problem by exploiting the depths of our oceans.

Having these data centers in the icy depths of the sea will save millions on cooling costs and storage. The venture has been dubbed Project Natick. Microsoft is currently exploring ways in which to harness the energy of the ocean, solving yet another problem – that of energy consumption. The team has planned to use the natural currents to generate electricity via tidal motion. The actual contraption is a jellybean shaped pod with a built in turbine. The turbine catches the waves beneath the surface and in turn powers the pod. Using this technology, Microsoft claims that they are able to make these machines in masses. The current time for the creation of a center is just under two years, but using this new method the company would be able to open a new center every ninety days.

Image: Microsoft

This new way of broadcasting internet signal could also benefit people around the world by bettering access to the internet. Microsoft claims that most of the world’s population live along the coast. By creating these underwater data centers, they are better able to serve those whom currently live a long distance from centers. Presently Microsoft only runs about one hundred centers worldwide, but with the new technology they would be able to double that in a very short period of time. This in turn gives much better accessibility to the general public and helps to solve speed and latency issues.

Image: Microsoft

As demand for new and innovative ways to stay connected to the internet arise, companies like Microsoft are forced to think up new and improved ways to provide service. With over seven billion people in the world and more on the way, the cloud services currently offered must be consistently updated in order to keep up with the work load. These new data centers offer both energy efficiency, and savings in the millions. There are however some concerns about potential pollution within our already troubled oceans. Since these data centers are so new, there is doubt about their performance especially at great depths. The equipment just completed a one hundred five day run in the Pacific Ocean at depths of thirty feet. Officials say there are multiple fail safe options built into the machine, and future models will be able to withstand up to five years under the water without maintenance. While the project is still years away from completion, it will be interesting to watch this endeavor grow.

]]>http://calixtechnews.com/2016/02/microsoft-project-natick-storing-your-data-under-the-sea/feed/0833Purism Librem 13 & 15 Laptopshttp://calixtechnews.com/2015/11/purism-librem-13-15-laptops/
http://calixtechnews.com/2015/11/purism-librem-13-15-laptops/#commentsThu, 05 Nov 2015 06:10:09 +0000http://calixtechnews.com/?p=399We’ve all become familiar with the saying “Freedom isn’t Free” and when you think about it, that too encompasses privacy. How often do we take measures on our own computers and devices to keep our information private? Think about it. Do you try to limit what you search? Cover up the front facing camera? Install software to detect hackers? This will all change with the advent of an amazing new notebook soon to hit the market: The Librem Notebook by Purism.

Built with consumer privacy in mind, Purism’s computers are designed based off of Linux and kernel processing. Making for a more secure computing experience by eliminating many of the vulnerabilities and loop holes that exists in other hardware, operating systems and applications, the Librem notebooks are the only on the market that will offer complete freedom. The BIOS, kernel, OS and software are all freed making the Librem notebook the first computer in history to have been designed from the ground up, chip-by-chip, to protect the security of its users. “A beautiful operating system designed with your privacy, security and freedom in mind, all while retaining simplicity” is the picture the Purism website paints about PureOS, the user interface.

With a familiar design and comparable specifications, the Librem Notebook offers a familiar face with a twist. Brought to the market in September 2015, this computer is one to consider. Offered in 13in and 15in models, the Librem starts at $1649, with multiple customization options available. Funded by Crowd Supply, Purism has surpassed it’s $250,000 funding goal and announced last month at GetGeeked, an early adopter and press event in NYC, that some orders would start shipment in October and November.

“Purism was created to combine the philosophies of the free/librem and open source software movement with the hardware manufacturing process.” – Summary, Purism Website. Image: Purism

Threats such as spying and stalking to data-mining and ransomware, plus much more can be prevented using a Librem notebook. There is even an option to have the machine configured where a “kill switch” is installed allowing you to disable the computer’s Wi-Fi, webcam and microphone to prevent online peeping toms. An all-around different machine, the Librem notebook is a computer everyone should consider owning.

]]>http://calixtechnews.com/2015/11/purism-librem-13-15-laptops/feed/1399Pogo Plug BackUp Reviewhttp://calixtechnews.com/2015/10/pogo-plug-backup-review/
http://calixtechnews.com/2015/10/pogo-plug-backup-review/#commentsFri, 09 Oct 2015 18:12:17 +0000http://calixtechnews.com/?p=199Given how cloud computing and virtual storage have now become the norm for both business and home computer users, it comes as no surprise there are now many competitors wrestling for the clouds-storage hilltop. Though one could say it is hard to offer a wildly different solution to those already making use of cloud storage, it is difficult to count out Pogo-plug as the ideal solution for your average or even advanced PC user at home. Not only for it’s features, but also for its incredible value.

Unlimited storage space, even with Pogo-plugs most basic storage plan

Very easy-to-use interface and application for file backup, restore, access and sharing

Upload and download speeds are not bottle-necked by the host, and are rather fast

Users are not limited by the amount of devices that can access the cloud

At first glance, PogoPlugs general software interface is clearly a no-frills experience. You are given access to the basic core functions of backing up and restoring your data. The software itself will backup your Documents folder by default, but you can also set it to upload specific directories and entire drives if need be. If any changes are made to your folders or files have been added, Pogoplug will automatically run a fresh backup so your cloud storage reflects the changes. A possible gripe is that Pogoplug will sometimes ignore uncommon file types, which may not be noticed once a backup has been completed. The best remedy for this is to manually select the files or directory, but it would have been ideal for the application to not ignore files completely, as this can be easily overlooked when backing up several hundred/thousand files at once.

Pogoplugs web interface is the primary way to access and backup your data. Though the desktop application is quite useful, it is solely developed for backups and restoration of data. The web interface offers much more flexibility. You can upload individual files via selection or drag-and-drop, create individual links to files to share with others, and intuitively play back your media from the web interface. The setup is quite easy to use and there is no degradation in quality, and serves as the ideal way to access all of your media regardless of location or device. Al of your photos, music and videos will be accessible.

One thing Pogoplug proudly touts is their best feature: unlimited storage for everyone. The CEO of Pogoplug’s parent company, Danel Putterman, has even reported a user that has nearly 60TB of data uploaded while using the basic plan. Even with their most basic plan $4.95, any user has access to a bottomless bank to store their data in and access from anywhere, including iOS and Android devices. Combine this with a micro-HDMI cable and a television, and you have quite the effective portable media device at your fingertips, provided your WiFi or wireless signal is capable.

Two primary issues users have found is that Pogoplug will not run a fresh backup when data from folders is removed on your local PC, leaving you to do so manually within the clouds web interface. While this is only mildly annoying, it can be cumbersome to those who are undertaking a mass-deletion of data with specific files. Also, file versioning is not available, which greatly aids with virus protection, a feature often found in competing file clouds.

In all Pogo Plugs overall cloud service is a must have for anyone on the go and you can’t beat the price. I would recommend this product to anyone looking for cloud storage.